Ukrainian volunteer and former TV presenter Denys Khristov came under Russian fire on February 23. The incident occurred in the Kharkiv region during a planned evacuation of civilians. A Russian drone targeted the volunteer’s vehicle directly while he was in transit.
Denys Khristov reported the attack on his official Instagram page. He was traveling to the village of Husynka in the Kupiansk district to rescue residents from the frontline.
“Well, I also went for an evacuation to Husynka, in the Kupiansk region. Or rather, I didn’t make it…” the volunteer shared.
Due to the enemy attack, Denys was unable to reach the destination. The explosion caused significant damage to the evacuation vehicle. Khristov sustained facial injuries from shrapnel but managed to drive away from the danger zone. He shared photos showing his injuries and the damaged car. Currently, the volunteer is traveling to Kharkiv to seek professional medical assistance.
Background of the volunteer’s work
Denys Khristov is widely known by his call sign “Hollander” for his humanitarian work. Before the full-scale invasion, he worked as a popular music TV host. He now leads the “We are from Ukraine!” charity foundation and focuses on high-risk evacuations. Khristov frequently operates in the most dangerous areas of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions. He also provides essential equipment to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy honored him with the “Golden Heart” award for his bravery. Furthermore, Khristov produced the documentary “1% of War” to document life under occupation.
The security situation in the Kharkiv region remains dire as Russian forces systematically target evacuation routes. Because the village of Husynka is located only 18 kilometers from Kupiansk, it is constantly exposed to artillery fire and enemy drones. This high UAV activity creates critical risks for any civilian transport in the area. Nevertheless, evacuation teams continue their vital missions. Their dedication allows for the rescue of hundreds of lives every month despite the persistent threat of strikes.
Previously, The Ukrainian Review reported that Russia launched a mass attack on Ukraine’s energy and railway infrastructure.
